1996 Kia Sephia Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 1996 Kia Sephia, 6% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Oil filters made by any other company than Kia does not work. I had to get an oil change twice because the one done by the car lot was not a Kia oil filter and the one I had done was not a Kia filter. I took the car to a Kia repair shop the next day and they cleaned the area and changed the filter. The brakes since I bought the car have been screaching and at that time, a brake repairman advised me my brakes wore at 95%. The brakes still screach and grind. In the summer, the air conditioner gives off a foul odor to the point of having to turn it off. The rear middle seatbelt does not latch. …”
NHTSA complaint #716669, filed 1999-12“Dt: the consumer stated that on december 1, 2003 the dashboard lifted up in the front when turning on the defroster . It did not defog the window, it will work somewhat but not like it should. Can see the inside dashboard where wiring and foam was. It has progressively gotten worse since december 2003. Consumer had tried to push the dashboard down with her hands, but the dashboard will not move. Consumer has not had a dealer look at vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10139038, filed 2005-10“Cables are hanging from out the sides of 3 doors. Dealer will not repair at his expense. When car is in reverse, the windows won't do anything. Consumer has a board inside the panel to keep the window up.”
NHTSA complaint #856081, filed 2000-02“Windows will not defrost due to design of defogger system; airflow not enough to clear windows; once windows are fogged up, owner has to park vehicle; impairs vision, could cause accident.”
NHTSA complaint #803533, filed 1996-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Kia Sephia
39 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Kia Sephia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology